Strand van Hollum

Ameland is one of the Dutch Wadden Islands, a long, slim island off the coast of Friesland, with four villages strung along its length. Hollum is the westernmost of them, a quiet village of low houses and gardens, and it sits close to the western tip of the island, where the dunes open out onto a broad beach. The beach at Hollum is known for being wide, clean and uncrowded, a place where the sand seems to stretch on for ever and the sky takes up most of the view. It is quite different from the busy resort beaches of the mainland coast, and it appeals to those who want space and calm.

The beach faces west, which makes it a splendid place for sunsets. In the evening, the sun sinks into the sea or over the tidal flats at the end of the island, colouring the sky and the water, and people gather on the sand or on the dune tops to watch. During the day, the beach is a place for long walks, for cycling along the firm sand at low tide, for flying kites and for looking at birds. Wading birds feed along the tideline in large numbers, and in spring and autumn migrating species rest on the island. The dunes behind the beach are covered with marram grass and sea buckthorn and are home to a range of plants and insects.

The water quality of the Dutch coast is monitored, and swimming is popular in the summer months, though the North Sea is cool even in July, and currents can be strong. Beaches in the Netherlands are often marked with flags to show conditions, and it is wise to follow the signs, to swim where lifeguards are on duty and to keep an eye on children. Parking near the beach is available, and some facilities, such as special wheelchairs for use on the sand, make it easier for visitors with mobility needs, though it is wise to check what is available in advance.

The village of Hollum is close and worth a visit. Its lighthouse, one of the landmarks of the island, was built in the nineteenth century and is among the most distinctive on the Wadden coast, and it may be open to climb in season. The island's seafaring past is recalled in the village, as many of the captains who sailed on whaling ships in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries came from Ameland. The old church, the hospital church known as the Gasthuiskerk, and the museum are within reach.

The beach suits walkers, families, cyclists and sunset lovers. Ameland is reached by ferry from Holwerd. Bring a windproof jacket, and plan to stay for the evening light.